Vibratory toothbrush



Feb.7, 1928.

1,658,278 l.. H. BARDACH ET AL VIBRATORY TooTHBRUsH Filed June l5, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l Feb.7,1928.

L. H. BARDACH yr-:T A1..

VIBRATORY TOOTHBRUSH Filed June 13, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E E ummm* mal q c.. du if.

this invention.

Patented Feb. 7, 1928.

UNITED STATES` v \LLOYD H. BARDACE .AND ARVID G. LARSON, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS T0 v ROBERT H. VAN SANT,

insana sereni# carica.

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

VIBRATORY '.roo'rHnRUsH.

Application led June 13, 1925. SerialNa 86,834.

nism is designed to give a crosswise swinging motion thereto. Such a result could be obtained by adapting the principle of a bell or buzzer mechanism but it has been found that such mechanisms .are not sutliciently powerful to reciprocate the brush when under sutiicient pressure to properly clean the teeth. To overcome this ditiiculty We have adapted a solenoid giving a longitudinal motion toa core or rod associated therewith and convertthis reciprocating motion into a swinging or oscillating motion vof the brush carrying element.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a brush actuating mechanism included in a casing forming the handle thereof whereby a neat and compact hand tool is provided which is eliiciently protected against the entrance of water and the like when in use.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent rom'the disclosures in the specification and the accompanying drawings. a

This invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawing-s and hereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of a device embodying the features of' this invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged section on the line II-.-II of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a central section of another form of device embodying the features-of Figure 4 is avsection on the line IV-IV of Fig. 3. l 1

Figure 5 is a section on the line V-V of Figure 3 with the enclosing tip4V omitted.

Figure 6 is a central section of a third form of the device of this invention.

i Figure 7 is asection on the line VII-VII of Fig. 6.

.'As jshbwn on the drawings:

An interrupter or vibrator type attaching plug 1() is shown adapted to be inserted in an electric outlet or socket adjacent the -place of use of the toothbrush. This inter- `rupter type ot' plug is in common use as with flashing signs, to produce rapid pulsations ot current. From the plug 10 an extension cord 1l leads to the end of the various illustrated forms of mechanism, and if desired a coil spring 'l2 may be positioned to prevent abrupt flexure and consequent abrasion ot' the cord as it emerges from the cap 13 of the toothbrush handle 14. In Figure 2, one lead 15 ot the cord goes to a switch mechanism comprising parallel strips ot' metal 16 and 17 separated by an insulator 18 except adjacent. the tree ends ofthe strips Where a button 19 on the strip 16 is provided for depressing they strip 16 into Contact with the lower strip 17. A suitable cover 20 is provided for the strip.

A solenoid 21 is connected to the lower switch member 17 at 22 and the other end of the coil is connected to the second lead 23 from the interrupter plug. The solenoid is provided with a hollow eor'e 24 the upper half of which is filled by a non-magnetic member 25 held against thecap 13 by a bushing 26. A bar 27 of magnetidmaterial is reciprocable in the lower half of the solenoid core and terminates in-a collar 28 and .a rectangular in carrying tip 29, a spring 30 being positioned between the collar and the lcore to normally maintain `the bar in extended position against the U- shaped sto 31. The nose32 of the toothbrush han ie or case-14 carries a pivot 33 for a projecting memberl 34 having =a yoke 35 with an inclined slot 36 engaging the pin of the tip 29. Themember 34 is intended to receive one of a number of interchangeable toothbrushes 37, o ne for each user of the handle. The toothbrush is positioned on the member 34 with the brush elements 38 in alignment with and parallel to the axis' of the pivot pin33 so that the brush will be reciprocatedover the tooth surfaces in an up and dow-n direction to dislodge foreign between the teeth.

The modications o' Figures 3 to 6 relate particles from the spaces only to different meansof applying the magnetic effect 'of the solenoid and in the conversion of the reciprocating motion into a vibratory motion. In Figures 3 to 5 the solenoid 21 and core 24remain unchanged, a casing or cup 39 being provided to receive the solenoid with insulating spacers 40' positioned at either end of the core 24. In this Amoditication a rod 41 extends through the core and projects through the bottomof the cup to engage a lever 42 pivoted at 43 and carrying a pin 44 engaging in a slot 45 in a l lever 46 fastenedfto the rod 47 which is pivoted at 48 in the ncse piece 49 secured to the end of the cup 39. This linkage serves to convert the reciprocating motion of the -rod 41 into an oscillatingvmotion of the rod 47 about the pivot 48, the rod 47 being adapted to receive one of a series of toothbrushes as in the prior form.

Reciprocation of the rod 41 is accom-v associated parts are preferably positioned in a housing 54, the lead-in wires 55 passing through the housing to the solenoid coil.

The modification of Figures 6 and 7 includes a casing 56 inclosing the solenoid 21 and core 24`with a rod 57 extending therethrough. The movement lof the rod 57 is produced by the magnetic action of the solenoid on the keeper 58 mounted on the spring 59, a block 60 of material having magnetic permeable characteristics being provided to transmit and concentrate the magnetic effect of the solenoid adjacent the free end of the keeper. Longitudinal movement of the rod 57 is converted into a swinging motion of the rod 61, pivoted in the casing 56 and 62, by

means of an angular-contact surface 63 between the two rods; downward movement of the rod 56 forcing the contacting end of the rod 61 to the left against the pressure of the spring-'64 which returns the rod 61 to the Vnormal aligned position upon breaking the circuit through the solenoid. The rod 57 is guided by the clip 65 which opposes the side thrust set up 'by the spring 64. 4

We wish it lo be understood that we do not desire to hc limited to the exact details of constructit-m shown and described, for obvious modifications within the scope of the 'claims will occur to a person skilled inthe art. We claim as our invention:

1. A device of the class described, comprising a solenoid, a support therefor, a pulsating current su pply therefor, a rod in said solenoid rcciprocated by fluctuations of magnetism in said solenoid, a tooth brush carrier oscillatably mounted'on said support, means connect ing said carrier and rod adapted to convert the reciprocating motion of said rod into an oscillating motion of said carrier. f

A device of the class described, comprising a casi-ng, a solenoid therein, a rod in sad solenoid reciproeated by variations in the current passing through said solenoid, a tcothbrush carrier pivoted in said casing, means connecting said rod and carrier adapted to convert the reciprocating motion of said rod into an oscillating motionof the tooth brush carrier about its pivot, and a brush on said carrier.l

3. In a device of the class described, an

yelectro-magnetic means, a support therefor,

a. rod adapted to be reciprocated by fluctuations in the magnetism thereof, a tooth brush carrier oscillatably mounted on said' support with a tooth brush mounted thereon, and means connecting said rod and said carrier adapted to convert the reciprocating motion of said rod into an oscillating motion of the brush carrier. In testimony whereof We have hereunto subscribed our names.

LLOYD H. BAR-DACH. ARVID'VGL LARSON. 

